| Budget101.com 2006-07-07, 1:25 pm |
| from www.care2.com
Homemade Insecticidal Soap
by Annie Berthold-Bond, Care2.com Producer, Green Living Channels
Simple Solution
Doug Harp, a graphic designer friend, first alerted me to soap as an
effective all-purpose pesticide when he used Dr. Bronner's Liquid Peppermint
Pure-Castile Soap diluted with water to kill the gypsy moths that had
infested his apple trees. We were working on a project together, and I'd get
faxes updating me on his kill rate (this was back before Emil), which, much
to his delight, was excellent! Impressed, I made a mental note to look into
insecticidal soaps, which I have since done.
Soap has been used for centuries as an all-purpose pesticide. It
disrupts insects' cell membranes, and kills pests by dehydration. The key is
not to use too much soap, or you'll also kill the vegetation near the pests.
If you follow the proportions of soap to water in the Soap Spray recipe,
below, the vegetation should be fine.
Note: Buy a liquid soap and not a detergent. Health food stores have
liquid soaps, such as Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soaps.
Soap Spray
1 to 2 tablespoons liquid soap
1 quart water
Combine ingredients in a bucket, mix, then transfer to a spray bottle
as needed.
All Purpose Pesticide Soap Spray
Strong smelling roots and spices such as garlic, onions, horseradish,
ginger, rhubarb leaves, cayenne and other hot peppers, are all known to
repel insects.
A handful of roots and spices
Enough boiling water to cover Soap Spray (recipe, above)
Add the roots and spices to the bottom of a mason jar. Cover with the
boiling water, screw on the top, and let set overnight. Strain, and add to
the Soap Spray. Note that this will rot, so use it all up or freeze
leftovers for another time.
Variation: Garlic Spray
Use 1 to 2 heads garlic. Deer and rabbits hate the smell of garlic.
Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for
information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual
person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested
use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read
the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health
care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or
other health care provider.
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